Missed opportunities in TB diagnosis: a TB Process-Based Performance Review tool to evaluate and improve clinical care

• Main Authors: Martinson Neil, Rametsi Lesego, Dudumayo Ntomboxolo, Dowdeswell Rob, Wong Michelle L, Murray Jill, Field Nigel, Lipman Marc, Glynn Judith R, Sonnenberg Pam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-02-01
• Series: BMC Public Health
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/127

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Traditional tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcome measures, such as cure rate, do not provide insight into the underlying reasons for missing clinical targets. We evaluated a TB Process-Based Performance Review (TB-PBPR) tool, developed to identify "missed opportunities" for timely and accurate diagnosis of TB. The tool enables performance assessment at the level of process and quality of care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The TB-PBPR tool is a single-page structured flow-sheet that identifies 14 clinical actions (grouped into elicited symptoms, clinical examination and investigations). Medical records from selected deceased patients were reviewed at two South African mine hospitals (A = 56 cases; B = 26 cases), a South African teaching hospital (C = 20 cases) and a UK teaching hospital (D = 13 cases).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In hospital A, where autopsy was routine, TB was missed in life in 52% (23/44) of cases and was wrongly attributed as the cause of death in 16% (18/110). Clinical omissions were identified at each hospital and at every stage of clinical management. For example, recording of chest symptoms was omitted in up to 39% of cases, sputum smear examination in up to 85% and chest radiograph in up to 38% of cases respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study introduces the TB-PBPR tool as a novel method to review and evaluate clinical performance in TB management. We found that simple clinical actions were omitted in many cases. The tool, in conjunction with a manual describing best practice, is adaptable to a range of settings, is educational and enables detailed feedback within a TB programme. The TB-PBPR tool and manual are both freely available for general use.</p>